National Parks In India

Satpura National Park

In the Madhya Pradesh state of India in the Hoshangabad district is situated the Satpura National Park. It has got this name from the hill ranges Satpura (Mahadeo hills).

It is spread over 524 km2 (202 sq mi) of area.  Satpura National Park, & simultaneously the adjoining Panchmarhi Sanctuaries & Bori provides (551 sq mi) 1,427 km2  of Central Indian Highland ecosystem which is unique and was set up in the year 1981.

The national park’s terrain is rough and is of dense forests, ravines, narrow gorges and sandstone peaks. The altitude varies from 300 -  1,352 metres  (980 to 4,436 ft). The Dhoopgarh peak are 1,400 meters high (4,600 ft) and almost all the Churna’s level plains.

Pachmarhi is nearby to national park and the nearest railway point is 55 kms (34 mi) named Piparia. Bhopal the state’s capital is located 210 kilometeres (130 mi) away.

One of the unique ecosystems part is the Satpura National Park, and has rich bio diversity.

The fauna consists of Indian Giant squirrel, mouse deer, flying squirrel, porcupine, fox, black buck, bear, wild dog, wild boar, bison (gour), chinkara, four-horned antelope, nilgai, Bhedki, chital, sambar, leopard, tiger etc. There are different kinds of birds. The birds which are common are peafowl and Hornbills.

General Information

State	Madhya Pradesh
District(s)	Hoshangabad
Established	1981
Nearest city	Pachmarhi
Time Zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area	524 km2
Elevation	300-1,352 m
Climate	Dry
Precipitation	7-539 mm
Temperature	38°C
Summer	41°C
Winter	26°C

 

History

In the district of Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh in Satpura Range they nurture the Satpura National Park with great care. The area of Satpura Tiger Reserve is 1427 km2 and also includes Sanctuaries like Bori & Pachmarhi. It was brought to notice by J.Forsyth a British Officer during the year 1857 when in action against the freedom fighter of India. The Bengal’s Cavalary Regiment was Captain Forsyth and was on the lookout for Tantya Tope the famous freedom fighter. He reached Central India’s highlands incidentally when he was tracking the information and found it to be apt for military base.

Best Time For Visiting This Place

The visitors can visit the Satpura National Park which is situated in Satpura Range of the district of Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh from the 16th of October till 30th of June. The boating and safari rides can be enjoyed in the Satpura National Park during this period. From the 1st of July till the 18th of October no visitors are permitted.

Distance From The National Park

Piparia: 55 km

Bhopal: 170 km

Jabalpur: 230 kms

Indore : 380 kms

Nagpur : 340 kms

Pachmarhi : 90 kms

Sanchi :230 kms

How To Reach There

To reach the Satpura National Park is from the airport of Bhopal city which is 200 kms away from the park. Bhopal Airport is well connected to Mumbai & Delhi. The railway stations which are nearby to Satpura National Park – Hoshangabad, Pipariya, Sohagpur and Itarsi. The Satpura National Park has 3 entries for visit. First one being close to the Pachmarhi hill station. The Second and the most famous one is from the entrance gate of Madhai which is around 100 kms from Pachmarhi and near to the Sarangpur village. The entrance gate of Madhai is around 19 kms interior from the road of Pipariya-Hoshangabad. Near to Sohagpur town is Madhai’s diversion. For ones who are residing at the MP Tourism can approach through the Third entrance: Tawa Resort which is situated on Tawa Dam. It is nearby to Hoshangabad town. To reach the resorts at Satpura National Park it is advisable to have huge cars with good clearance feature of ground as the roads are very rough and muddy and hence create problems in rainy seasons.

Location Map

Things To Do - National Park

In India the one and only national park which provides you with the luxury to explore the wildlife and enjoy it on your foot is none other than Satpura National Park.

Only when you walk do you get to know the real feel of a jungle. Embarking in the naturalists company at dawn you will cross the dense teak and sal forest near the meadown and near the Tawa Reservoir’s banks and past the seasonal streams and ravines. You will get the feel of an amature as you get to explore this wonderful place Satpura as this one is not much frequented.

And the guide who is an expert of this place takes you through the names & the uses of many trees that would not have been very clear to see from the jeep. You have time to stop and look around and enjoy the ants at work, see the butterflies, hear the bird’s call and smell of flowers. Just stay around for some more time and you get to see from the forest’s shadows the gaur, sturdy Indian bison & spotted deer hopping and running around the trees.

Though Satpura might not be India’s best park for the sight of tigers, but would be of something better as you explore this jungle on foot. Even though you are dead alert in this place but even a fowl’s touch against a leaf is enough to set your breath on high. There is no differentiation between the wildlife and you and hence the experience of the wildlife is real fun.
Boat and jeep provides game drives and you can also go in for the Satpura stay along with Tadoba National Park & safaris in Pench for the wildlife’s view in the whole of central region in India. Accomodation:

Forsyth Lodge 

14/1 Village Bijakhori, Sohagpur | Sohagpur, Satpura National Park 461771, India 

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge 

Village Reni Pani, Satpura National Park 462013, India

Weather

As there are hills around Satpura the weather round the year is pleasant. Summers record a temperature of not more than 37 degrees and winters record below 7 degrees. The ideal time to visit this place is from January till June.

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